Description

Otra Cosa Network is based in Huanchaco, a small seaside town on the outskirts of Trujillo, Peru. The majority of our community support projects are based in Huanchaco and Trujillo and the shanty towns in between, but we do have some projects in the northern Peruvian mountains.

The main aim of Otra Cosa Network is to sustain our wide range of projects improving the quality of people's lives within and beyond the local community. We are dedicated to providing interesting, stimulating and rewarding placements to our volunteers, each of whom contribute something new to our many projects. We carefully select volunteers with the right skills and experience and place them with appropriate projects, offering support from arrival to departure. We do expect self-reliant volunteers, capable of taking initiative and managing their own time in Peru.

Our wide range of projects include:
- Teaching English in a number of locations in and around Huanchaco
- Teaching English in the Peruvian mountains
- Teaching English at a volunteer language school in Trujillo
- Shanty Town school near Huanchaco
- Casa Hogar in Rodriguez de Mendoza
- Home for ex-Street Children near Huanchaco
- Recreational Day Centre for children who live on a rubbish dump in Trujillo
- A company producing postcards to benefit underprivileged Peruvian kids
- Organic Coffee and Sugar Cane farm in Sicchezpampa
- Surf School for underprivileged children in Huanchaco
- Skate Ramp for underprivileged children in Huanchaco
- Helping to run the OCN office
- Sustainable Tourism Agency in Chachapoyas
- School for the Blind, Deaf and Autistic in Trujillo
- School for Children with Special Needs in Trujillo
- Animal Refuge Centre near Huanchaco
- Day Centre that allows for mothers to search for paid employment
- After-school homework help centre
- Local medical health centres in and around Huanchaco

For more information, please contact us.

Highlights

Travelling can be about much more than national parks, archeological sites, trekking, beaches and parties. Otra Cosa Network gives you the opportunity to make your travels a deeper and more rewarding experience by doing voluntary work in Huanchaco, Trujillo and other locations in Northern Peru.

Otra Cosa Network works with fantastic social development projects within Peru that work day-in and day-out to change the lives of the less fortunate. The committed members of staff at these projects often work on a voluntary basis or for a very minimal wage and as hard as they work these projects are under-staffed and work with minimal resources. Therefore, donating your time to work with these projects is invaluable and you will truly see how your time and contribution are hugely appreciated by those around you.

You can find details about all our volunteer projects, the volunteers we currently need and what we can offer you on our webiste www.otracosa.org or email volunteer@otracosa.org if you have any further questions.

OCN can facilitate volunteers in finding affordable accommodation in Huanchaco as well as cheap classes in Spanish language, surfing and salsa.

To find out what it's really like to volunteer with OCN from the perspective of previous volunteers we can send you information about our blog.

Qualifications

Volunteer requirements depend on the project that you want to work with, for example we only except Medicine graduates or students in their final year of study to work at the Medical Centre projects. All projects require at least basic Spanish (lessons can be arranged before you start at the project to give you the basis you need) and some projects require a more advanced knowledge of Spanish. Please check the project descriptions for more information.

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

Fees start at GBP100/Euro115/USD165/500 Peruvian Nuevo Soles for up to 3 months

Cost Includes:

• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Registration fees
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

* Placement in an appropriate project(s) having considered your skills, experience, motivation and wishes. Our task is to find a good fit between you and the projects to help ensure that the project gets good added value help from you and you get satisfaction and a good development experience from being here.
* Arrangement of taxi pick-up on arrival in Trujillo (you will need to pay the taxi driver the standard local price of 15 soles)
* Induction to OCN including a walking-tour of Huanchaco
* Introduction to your chosen project - one of the OCN staff will take you to your project on your first day
* Arrangement of Spanish lessons with local teachers at local costs (if required)
* Arrangement of an Intercambio Spanish/English language program (if required)
* OCN discounts at local restaurants, hostels and surf shops
* Participation at weekly volunteer lunches (you pay for what you eat)
* Monthly Project Tour of all OCN projects in Huanchaco and Trujillo
* Day-to-day support as and when required
* Placement in housing of your choice as agreed, and introduction to the owner and the house/hostel
* Link to recommended hostel in Lima, who will arrange airport pick-up if required

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

18+ (21+ for some projects)

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Home-stays
• Guest House
• Independent living

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

2/3 working days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Otra Cosa Network's Mission Statement

To provide community projects with a supply of well-motivated volunteers with the right skills and experience to provide appropriate support to our projects and to give volunteers a genuinely worthwhile, affordable, satisfying and well-supported volunteer experience in Peru. Together we aim to offer life-changing provisions to both adults and children in the community-projects we partner and a life-changing social development opportunity for our volunteers.

Year Founded

2004